Langtangगोसाइँकुण्ड
A sacred alpine lake at about 4,380 m in Langtang National Park, a Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site and a high point between Langtang and Helambu.
This is the sacred lake in Langtang National Park, Rasuwa; Gosaikunda Rural Municipality is the wider local government area.
Higher seasonal exposure: altitude (All year), snow (Nov-May), cold (Nov-Mar), landslides (Jun-Sep), road blockages (Jun-Sep).
Gosaikunda (also spelled Gosainkunda) is a glacial lake at about 4,380 m in the Rasuwa part of Langtang National Park, the best known of a cluster of high lakes around the Lauribina La. The main lake covers about 14 hectares, and together with its neighbours, including Bhairab Kunda and Saraswati Kunda, the lake system is a Ramsar wetland of international importance, listed in 2007. The lake is usually frozen for much of the winter.
For trekkers it is the high point of the route between the Langtang Valley and Helambu. From Dhunche the climb goes through forest to Chandanbari (Sing Gompa) and the ridge at Lauribina, where on clear days the Langtang, Ganesh Himal and Annapurna ranges line up to the north-west, then on to the lake. The trail continues over the Lauribina La (about 4,610 m) and down into Helambu. Within the Langtang hub, Gosaikunda links the Langtang Valley and Helambu pages.
Hindus revere Gosaikunda as a lake created by Shiva. According to legend, after swallowing the poison that emerged from the churning of the ocean, Shiva struck the mountain with his trident to release cool water to ease his burning throat, forming the lake. A rock in the lake is seen by some as Shiva's form. Another belief holds that the water of the Kumbheshwar temple pond in Patan is connected to Gosaikunda, so those who cannot make the journey bathe there instead.
Thousands of pilgrims walk to the lake for Janai Purnima in July or August to bathe and change their sacred thread; Buddhists also honour the site. Among Newars the lake is known as Silu, the subject of a well-known folk song. Trekkers should avoid the peak pilgrimage days if they want quiet trails and lodge space, or join respectfully if they want to see the festival.
Trek from Dhunche
Climb to the lake in about 2-3 days via Chandanbari and Lauribina, allowing time to acclimatise.
Walk around the lakes
Follow paths around Gosaikunda and to nearby lakes such as Bhairab Kunda, best in the clear morning.
Cross to Helambu
Continue over the Lauribina La (about 4,610 m) to Phedi and Ghopte, then through Helambu towards Sundarijal or Melamchi.
Forecast for 4,380 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Apr-May, Oct-Nov
A few simple lodges stand by the lake; they fill up during Janai Purnima and may close in deep winter.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Gosaikunda is reached on foot, most directly from Dhunche in Rasuwa, or from the Langtang Valley via Thulo Syabru, or from Helambu over the Lauribina La.
Nearest hub: Dhunche
Nearest hub: Dhunche. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By busfrom Kathmanduabout 6-9 hLocal buses
Buses reach Dhunche, the nearest roadhead; the lakes are 2 to 3 days further on foot via Sing Gompa and Lauribina.
When to set off: Rasuwa buses leave Macha Pokhari bus park in the morning.
By car or jeepfrom Kathmanduabout 5-8 h
A jeep can go no further than Dhunche; everything above is on foot.
Road: Sealed but steep and broken hill road to Dhunche, slide-prone in the monsoon; no road to the lakes.
When to set off: Leave Kathmandu by about 06:00 to start walking from Dhunche the same afternoon.
On footfrom Sing Gompa (Chandanbari)about 3-6 hAbout 3-4 h from Lauribina to the lakes, 400-500 m of gain on rocky ground
On foot only. Two to three days from Dhunche via Sing Gompa and Lauribina, about two days from the Langtang valley via Thulo Syabru, or two to three days from Helambu over the Lauribina La.
When to set off: Cross the Lauribina La early in the day, before cloud and wind build.
Permit required
Gosaikunda is inside Langtang National Park; a park entry permit is required. Check whether a TIMS card is currently required. Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas are generally required to go with a licensed guide; check the current rule.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Langtang National Park (Wikivoyage).
On the Gosaikunda trek, Langtang, Gosaikunda and Helambu trek.
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Altitudehigh in a typical yearAll year
General information, not medical advice: this is high ground where altitude illness is a real risk. Gain height slowly, build in an acclimatisation day, learn the symptoms of headache with nausea, breathlessness or unsteady walking, and go down if they get worse. See a doctor before travelling and carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation. The lakes sit at about 4,380 m and the Lauribina La crossing is roughly 4,610 m, so most walkers spend a night at Sing Gompa or Lauribina on the way up.
Snowhigh in a typical yearNov-May
Snow covers the lake basin and the Lauribina La from late autumn into spring, and the lake itself freezes for much of the winter; the pass can be dangerous or impractical in deep snow.
Coldhigh in a typical yearNov-Mar
Nights at the lakes are far below freezing from November to March, and there is no shelter on the pass.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Kathmandu to Trishuli, Dhunche and Syabrubesi road climbs steep hillsides that soak up monsoon rain, and landslide blockages are a normal feature of the season in these hills.
Road blockageshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Expect the Rasuwa road to be slower in the monsoon: the bus run that takes 8 to 11 hours in dry weather typically takes longer when it rains, and slides can hold vehicles up.
Othermoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
From June to August the forest trails are slippery after rain, leeches are common and the mountains are usually hidden by cloud.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
The Langtang Valley to Kyanjin Gompa combined with the climb to the sacred Gosaikunda lakes (about 4,380 m) via Thulo Syabru and Sing Gompa, finishing at Dhunche. Check road access after the August 2026 floods.
Both spellings refer to the same sacred lake in Langtang National Park.
The lake is at about 4,380 m, and altitude sickness is a real risk. Take at least 2-3 days from Dhunche and descend if symptoms worsen.
Drive to Dhunche (normally 6-8 hours) and trek 2-3 days up via Chandanbari and Lauribina. Check road status after the August 2026 floods.
Pilgrims gather at Janai Purnima, the full moon of the month of Shrawan, which falls in July or August.
Yes, a Langtang National Park entry permit. Check the current TIMS and guide rules as well.
Valley or region
Hyolmo villages, monasteries and apple orchards in the hills north-east of Kathmandu, on a trek that can start from the city's edge.
Valley or region
A glacier valley north of Kathmandu, walked from Syabrubesi through forest and yak pastures to Kyanjin Gompa under Langtang Lirung.
Town or village · 845 m
A river-junction market town in Sindhupalchok and the road gateway to Helambu, rebuilt after the 2021 floods.
Lake · 4,100 m
Five holy lakes at about 4,100 m below the Jugal Himal in Sindhupalchok, a pilgrimage at Janai Purnima and a quiet trek.
Town or village · 2,030 m
The district headquarters of Rasuwa and the road-side start of the Gosaikunda trail.
Trek stop · 3,330 m
A forest settlement with a small monastery on the climb to the Gosaikunda lakes.
Trek stop · 1,460 m
The road-head village in Rasuwa where the Langtang Valley trek begins.
Trek stop · 2,210 m
A Tamang ridge village that links the Langtang Valley with the Gosaikunda trail.
Valley or region
The trekking region closest to Kathmandu: glacier valleys, holy lakes and Hyolmo villages across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchok.
Trek stop · 3,870 m
The high village and monastery at the head of the Langtang Valley trek, base for day climbs to Kyanjin Ri and Tserko Ri.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 963 m
A hilltop fort town above the Trishuli valley, where Prithvi Narayan Shah built a seven-storey palace during the unification of Nepal.
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